Queer Resource Alliance

Queer Resource Alliance

Mission: The Queer Resource Alliance aims to create an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for community members of all orientations and gender identities by providing leadership, education, and advocacy related to challenges and issues faced by Regis LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff, and students.

Charge: It is our belief that people thrive in a learning and working environment characterized by the Jesuit traditions of mutual respect and the pursuit of justice. Consistent with the Jesuit faith-inspired commitment to build an inclusive community that values the dignity and contributions of all of our members, the Queer Resource Alliance aims to:

Affirm the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff, and students at Regis University;

Work toward a holistic, intersectional understanding of LGBTQIA+ communities at Regis as they relate to race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, ability, socioeconomic status, and culture;

Provide a space for discussion of LGBTQIA+ issues at Regis University;

Help faculty, staff, and administration across Regis University understand sexual orientation, gender identity, and diversity inclusivity through educational programming and outreach;

Advocate for an environment of safety, equity, and respect for Regis community members of all orientations and gender identities;

Evaluate ongoing efforts by assessing the effectiveness, impact, and outcomes of QRA activities.

Brave Space Description

The Brave Space training is a 3-hour workshop modeled after the Safe Zone programs common at colleges across the country. Our training curriculum was developed by Regis faculty, staff, and students to meet the needs of our particular community and to incorporate our Jesuit ideals of cura personalis and care for the marginalized and oppressed. The training includes self-reflection and self-exploration, terminology practice, empathy-building, and case scenario role-playing. At the end of the training, participants receive a rainbow triangle that they can put on their office door to signal that they have completed the training.

Jesuit Mission

Regis University has a faith-inspired commitment to build an inclusive community that values the dignity and contributions of all our members. In this community, human differences thrive in a learning environment characterized by the Jesuit traditions of mutual respect and the pursuit of justice. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, class, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and other human differences contribute to the richness and vitality of our living community. As a Jesuit Catholic institution, we are committed to finding God in all things and in each other. Consistent with the Catholic emphasis on the dignity of the human person, we are standing against discrimination and for compassion, acceptance, and respect of all marginalized people. This program grows out of our faith commitment to our LDBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff and their experiences at Regis University.

To Schedule a Training or Join a Current Training Please Contact:

Brave Space Ally

Members are expected to pledge/aspire towards the following:

I hereby have permission to be imperfect when I encounter someone whose sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is different from my own. It is okay that I do not know everything about LGBTQIA+ people. It is also OK if, at times, my lack of knowledge about LGBTQIA+ people shows. I know that no one is an “expert” on LGBTQIA+ issues.

I have permission to ask questions that might appear naïve. And I have permission to struggle with these issues and to be honest in my self-exploration.

I am, however, committed to educating myself and others about prejudice, discrimination, oppression, heterosexism, transphobia, and homophobia and combating these prejudices in others. I will continue to monitor and assess my own attitudes, actions, and possible biases.

I am committed to treating everyone, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, age, religion, SES status, physical or mental abilities, gender identity, and sexual orientation, with the equality, dignity, and respect they are entitled to as human beings.

I am committed to working toward providing a support network for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

I will be supportive, inclusive, and affirming of LGBTQIA+ people and their identity in my language, my social interactions, and my professional roles.

I will respect the privacy of individuals who contact me in my role as a Brave Space ally, and will not share information they provide without their permission. I recognize that there are limits to confidentiality. It would not be appropriate to maintain confidentiality if a person shares that they intend to physically harm themselves or another person, for example:

I will make referrals when I feel overwhelmed, or am unable to assist someone who contacts me in my role as a Brave Space Ally

Local

ONE Coloradowww.one-colorado.org
Dedicated to advancing equality for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families.

GLBT Community Center of Coloradohttp://glbtcolorado.org
Gives voice to Colorado’s LGBT community and playing a pivotal role in statewide initiatives to reduce harassment and discrimination.

Colorado Health Networkhttp://www.coloradoaidsproject.org/
Serves nearly 4,000 individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and those at risk, as well as other program specific populations.

Gender Identity Center of Coloradohttps://giccolorado.org/
Provides support for all gender identities and expressions through direct services and social change utilizing empowerment, identity affirmation, outreach, education, advocacy, creating safe spaces, and a sense of community.

Survivors Organizing for Liberationhttp://coavp.org/
Dedicated to eliminating all forms of violence within and against LGBTQ communities in Colorado.

International

Amnesty Internationalhttps://www.amnestyusa.org/
A global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people – no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization.

OutRighthttps://www.outrightinternational.org/
Advances human rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ people around the world by developing critical partnerships at global, regional, and national levels to build capacity, document violations, advocate for inclusion and equality, and hold leaders accountable for protecting the rights of all LGBTIQ people.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Associationhttp://ilga.org/
The world federation of national and local organisations dedicated to achieving equal rights for LGBTI people.

Activism and Advocacy

American Civil Liberties Unionhttps://www.aclu.org/
For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The Asexual Visibility and Education Networkhttp://www.asexuality.org/
Hosts the world's largest online asexual community as well as an archive of resources on asexuality. Strives to create open, honest discussion about asexuality among sexual and asexual people alike.

Family Equality Councilhttp://www.familyequality.org/
Connects, supports, and represents the three million parents who are LGBTQ in this country and their six million children.

GLAADhttp://www.glaad.org/
Rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.

Human Rights Campaignhttp://www.hrc.org/
The largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization...working to achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans.

Intersex Society of North Americahttp://www.isna.org/
Devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female.

Lambda Legalhttp://www.lambdalegal.org/
Achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

National Black Justice Coalitionhttp://nbjc.org/
Dedicated to the empowerment of Black LGBTQ people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ bias and stigma.

Suicide Prevention

National Suicide Prevention Lifelinehttps://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Crisis Text Linehttp://www.crisistextline.org/
Free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.

Advice and Support

Everyone Is Gayhttp://everyoneisgay.com/
Works to improve the lives of LGBTQIA youth using a three-pronged approach: providing honest advice to these youth while keeping them laughing; talking to students in an effort to create caring, compassionate school environments; and working with families & educators of LGBTQIA kids to help foster an ongoing dialogue and deeper understanding.

GLBT National Help Centerhttp://www.glbthotline.org/
Provides vital peer support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

It Gets Betterhttp://www.itgetsbetter.org/
Works to communicate to LGBT youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them.

Religion

GALIP (God’s Agape Love Put Into Practice)https://www.gaychurch.org/
Dedicated to bringing the reconciling message of God’s love and reconciliation to the GLBT community. Website includes a directory of queer-friendly churches.

Gay Christian Networkhttp://gaychristian.net
An international network of Christians working for fully inclusive Christian community and a world where all people are treated as the beloved children of God.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Religious Archives Networkhttps://www.lgbtran.org/
Preserving history and encouraging scholarly study of LGBT religious movements around the world.

New Ways Ministryhttp://www.newwaysministry.org/
A gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.

Teaching

Campus Pridehttps://www.campuspride.org/
Developing necessary resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students on college campuses across the United States.